Are you fed up with coding platforms that appear… then disappear just as you’ve got your scheme of work sorted?  

This week At the Chalk Face, we’re joined by two brilliant guests who might just restore your faith in programming platforms.

We sit down with Matthias De Witte (Co-founder & CEO) and Peter Dawyndt (Co-founder & CTO) from Dodona Learning Technologies to talk about a seriously impressive coding platform that’s been quietly supporting tens of thousands of students for nearly a decade.

Dodona wasn’t built by a venture capital team chasing profit – it was built by educators, for educators. 

Designed originally to support university teaching, it’s now used by schools and universities across Belgium and beyond, offering:
Automated, meaningful feedback (not just pass/fail)
Powerful visual debugging – including the ability to step backwards through code 
A fully web-based platform (no installs, no tech headaches)
Tools that genuinely support independence without removing the teacher from the loop
A thoughtful, research-led approach to AI (no “AI writes the code for you” nonsense here)

We also talk candidly about:
Why teachers are frustrated with platforms coming and going
The real challenges of teaching programming at scale
Feedback, debugging, plagiarism, and learning analytics
How Dodona keeps pedagogy front and centre
Why Time to Code now lives inside Dodona 

If you’re a computer science teacher looking for a robust, proven, education-first coding platform – this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

👉 Find out more about Dodona here: https://dodona.be/

👉 And yes… they’ll be at the Craig’n’Dave Festival of Computing this July!

Let us know your thoughts in the comments – and whether Dodona could work in your classroom.

#TeamCompSci #CraignDave #ComputerScienceTeachers #CodingEducation #ProgrammingInSchools #EdTech #TimeToCode

At the chalk face: Too much pushback on exclusions

Do schools get too much pushback on exclusions – or not enough support to deal with persistent disruptive behaviour?

In this episode, we tackle one of the most complex and emotionally charged issues in education: school exclusions. 
From short-term removals to permanent exclusions, we explore why exclusions happen, how behaviour in schools has (and hasn’t) changed, and why the conversation is far more nuanced than “kids are just worse these days”.

We dig into the real pressures facing schools and teachers – shrinking budgets, reduced pastoral support, changing societal expectations, and the impact of home life, mental health, and social media on behaviour. Along the way, they ask some uncomfortable but vital questions:
– Who gets forgotten when one student disrupts learning?
– Are schools judged unfairly for excluding pupils?
– And what is the real, long-term impact of exclusion on young people?

Drawing on nearly two decades of classroom and leadership experience, this is an honest, reflective discussion that balances empathy for individual students with the reality of teaching 30 children in one room.

If you work in education – or care about what’s really happening in schools – this is a conversation worth watching.

👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell if you enjoy honest conversations about teaching, technology and life in schools. 

🔗 More from us:
Website & resources – Craigndave.org
Smart Revise – smartrevise.online

#Teaching #Education #Pedagogy #CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkface #TeacherLife #news #educationnews #EducationDebate #exclusion #schoolexclusion #excluded

At the chalk face: Fail an Ofsted inspection for safeguarding | Should mobiles be banned in schools?

In this episode of At the chalk face, Dave is joined once again by the brilliant Kat Morgan for a lively, honest and (at times) nerdy deep dive into the mobile phone debate in schools. 
From Ofsted inspections and safeguarding to behaviour management, social media, and the realities of modern classrooms, nothing is off the table.

Following headlines about proposals to fail schools at Ofsted if pupils are seen using phones, Dave and Kat unpack what’s actually going on in classrooms across the UK. 

With lots of schools already having some sort of phone ban in place, is this political posturing, a genuine safeguarding concern, or a blunt solution to a very complex problem?

Together, we explore:
📱 Whether banning phones really changes behaviour
🏫 The role of behaviour management and senior leadership
🎓 Supporting new and less confident teachers
🌍 Preparing students for the real digital world (not a fictional one without phones)
⚖️ Why calling phone use a safeguarding issue could be genuinely dangerous
😂 And why students will always find something to distract themselves (yes, even the numbers 6 and 7…)

As ever, here at the chalk face, we don’t have shouty debates or easy-answer rants. We have thoughtful, nuanced conversations from people who’ve actually worked at the chalk face — and know that education is never as simple as a headline makes it seem.

💬 Where do you stand?
Should phones be banned outright? Managed better? Or used more intelligently in lessons? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell if you enjoy honest conversations about teaching, technology and life in schools. 



#AtTheChalkface #EducationDebate #Ofsted #Safeguarding #MobilePhonesInSchools #UKTeachers #EdTech #TeachingLife #CraigNDave #EducationPolicy 

If you’re a teacher, leader, or education watcher, you’ll find plenty to nod along with — and maybe a few points to debate.

🔗 More from us:
Website & resources – Craigndave.org
Smart Revise – smartrevise.online

#Teaching #Education #Pedagogy #CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkface #TeacherLife #news #educationnews #mobilesinschool

🌐 Explore more Computer Science resources: https://www.craigndave.org

Discover how Smart Revise boosts attainment and frees up your evenings:
👉 https://smartrevise.craigndave.org/

👉Learn more about our Resource Centre here - https://craigndave.org/study-tools/resource-centre/

#CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkface #TeacherTips #ClassroomManagement #SmartRevise #TeachingIdeas #GCSEComputerScience #AlevelComputerScience #TeacherLife #EducationUK #ofsted 

At the chalk face: Curriculum and Assessment Review - PART 3 | CAR2025 

This week, together we’re going into part three of our deep dive into the recent Curriculum and Assessment Review.

If you’ve missed parts one and two — where were you?! 

We've already broken down the huge 250-page report and the government’s hefty response into something humans can actually understand.

🎓 Today, we're unpacking the big one: the NEW Progress 8 and Attainment 8 model.

It looks subtle at first glance… but trust us, the implications for computing, science, creative subjects, humanities, and the whole curriculum are huge.

In this episode we cover:
🔹 What the new buckets look like 
🔹 Why computing may be in a slightly awkward place
🔹 How creative subjects finally get some love
🔹 What this all actually means for schools, teachers, and option choices


👉 Download our CAR summary PDF here: https://craigndave.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Curriculum-and-Assessment-Review-Summary.pptx

👉 Read our blog for more info -  https://craigndave.org/car2025/ 

👉 Missed parts one and 2? Watch the here - 

👩‍🏫 Whether you’re a computing teacher or just passionate about education reform, this series is your go-to guide to understanding where the CAR is taking us next.


#TeamCompSci #CraigNDave #EducationReform #Computing #GCSE #CurriculumChange #Teaching #Alevels #ComputingEducation #CAR2025 #GCSEComputing #TeachingComputing #EdTech #AIinEducation

At the chalk face: Curriculum and Assessment Review - PART 2 | CAR2025

Welcome back to Craig & Dave at the Chalkface as we dive into part two of our CAR trilogy.

The biggest shake-up in education for a decade is here! 🚨
The Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR) has landed – and it’s a whopper! 
180+ pages of proposed changes that could redefine how we teach, assess, and support learners across the UK from ages 5 to 18. But don’t worry, Craig and Dave have done the hard work so you don’t have to.

All good things have a sequel — and the Curriculum & Assessment Review is no different.
This time, we're zooming in on what the review (and the government’s official response) actually means for computing.

We break down the big headlines so you don’t need to plough through 281 pages of curriculum detail and 61 pages of government jargon. From shrinking key stage teaching time, to the future of GCSE Computer Science, to AI literacy and digital skills becoming national priorities — we unpack the lot.

Here’s what we’re getting into:
💡 Why only 10% of schools teach computing to all KS4 pupils (and why that’s a problem)
📉 The squeeze on teaching hours at KS3 & KS4
💻 The end of GCSE Computer Science as we know it — and what the new broader GCSE in Computing might look like
🔗 Cross-curricular computing skills: why computing won’t (and shouldn’t) sit alone anymore
🧠 Digital literacy vs. media literacy — what’s changing and where it should live
🤖 AI literacy is becoming essential for every pupil
⚖️ The split opinions across the teaching community — and why both sides have a point

👉 Download our CAR summary PDF here: https://craigndave.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Curriculum-and-Assessment-Review-Summary.pptx

👉 Read our blog for more info -  https://craigndave.org/car2025/ 

👉 Missed part one? Watch it here - https://youtu.be/1ETfJzomWPo 

👩‍🏫 Whether you’re a computing teacher or just passionate about education reform, this series is your go-to guide to understanding where the CAR is taking us next.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe and turn on notifications — Part 3 coming soon! 

#TeamCompSci #CraigNDave #EducationReform #Computing #GCSE #CurriculumChange #Teaching #Alevels #ComputingEducation #CAR2025 #GCSEComputing #TeachingComputing #EdTech #AIinEducation

At the chalk face: Curriculum and Assessment Review - PART 1 | CAR2025

The biggest shake-up in education for a decade is here! 🚨

The Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR) has landed – and it’s a whopper! 
180+ pages of proposed changes that could redefine how we teach, assess, and support learners across the UK from ages 5 to 18. But don’t worry, Craig and Dave have done the hard work so you don’t have to.

In this episode of At the Chalkface, we break down what you really need to know — the key headlines, timelines, and takeaways from both the CAR and the Department for Education’s response. 

We’ve pulled together a summary that highlights what we believe are the most important takeaways for teachers — with a particular focus on those teaching Computing.

You’re welcome to download it and use it however suits you best; we hope it proves useful.

Get it here - https://craigndave.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Curriculum-and-Assessment-Review-Summary.pptx

Read the blog - 

🎧 Listen on the go via our podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2535893/episodes

🌐 Explore more Computer Science resources: https://www.craigndave.org

Discover how Smart Revise boosts attainment and frees up your evenings:
👉 https://smartrevise.craigndave.org/

👉Learn more about our Resource Centre here - https://craigndave.org/study-tools/resource-centre/

#CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkface #TeacherTips #ClassroomManagement #SmartRevise #TeachingIdeas #GCSEComputerScience #AlevelComputerScience #TeacherLife #EducationUK

At the chalk face: High expectations from the first minute 

A great lesson doesn’t start when the bell rings — it starts long before! 

In this episode of At the Chalkface, Craig and Dave dive into what it really means to have high expectations from the very first minute of your lesson.

From meet-and-greet routines at the door to establishing calm, purposeful starts, they share practical strategies to help you set the tone right from the start — and keep it consistent. 

Whether you’re an NQT finding your feet or an experienced teacher looking to fine-tune your classroom flow, this episode is packed with relatable stories, humour, and tips that actually work.

💡 Learn how to:
Create high expectations without being “strict”
Master the art of meet-and-greet
Use Smart Revise quizzes and starter tasks effectively
Build smooth transitions between lesson phases
Stay consistent, calm, and in control — every time

If you’ve ever wondered how to make the first minute count, this episode’s for you!

🎓 Watch, learn, and join the conversation in the comments — how do you set high expectations from the first minute?


**Want to get ALL our amazing GCSE and A-level resources for all exam boards?**
👉Learn more about our Resource Centre here - https://craigndave.org/study-tools/resource-centre/

👉 Get your full-year's access here - https://craigndave.org/product/craig-n-dave-crew-membership-12-months/


🎧 Listen on the go via our podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2535893/episodes
🌐 Explore more Computer Science resources: https://www.craigndave.org

About Smart Revise - 
Smart Revise is the continual revision platform built by teachers, for teachers.
 • Personalised retrieval practice that saves marking time.
 • Auto-marked quizzes, homework, and mock exams.
 • Used by tens of thousands of students across the UK.

Discover how Smart Revise boosts attainment and frees up your evenings:
👉 https://smartrevise.craigndave.org/


#CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkface #TeacherTips #ClassroomManagement #SmartRevise #TeachingIdeas #GCSEComputerScience #AlevelComputerScience #TeacherLife #EducationUK

🎯 High expectations. But what does that really mean?

Craig and Dave are diving into one of education’s favourite buzzwords — and giving it a proper reality check! For them, it’s not about piling on pressure; it’s about purpose.

In this episode, we unpack how homework can be used as a tool to prepare students for lessons, boost memory retention, and actually make learning easier — not harder. It’s all about making homework something students can achieve, enjoy, and see the value in.

Discover how:
✅ homework can be short, focused, and achievable (no long essays or parental help required!)
✅ the flipped classroom approach helps students prepare for lessons and embed knowledge
✅ note-taking with the Cornell method turns simple homework into higher-order thinking
✅ Smart Revise personalised goals help students manage their workload and track progress

It’s not about making tasks harder – it’s about creating routines, habits, and consistency that really set students up to succeed.

📚 Teachers, if you’ve ever wondered how to get students to actually do their homework and engage meaningfully with lessons, this video is for you.

Check out all our Computer Science teaching resources in our Resource Centre:
https://craigndave.org/study-tools/resource-centre

Check out Smart Revise - 
https://smartrevise.craigndave.org/

✉️ Questions? Drop us a line at [email protected]

💬 Expect laughs, honest reflections, and a few classroom stories along the way — whether you’re a teacher, head of department, or just curious about how schools really work.

#TeachingLife #EducationUK #SecondaryEducation #TeacherStories #Chalkface #CraignDave #UKSchools #ClassroomInsights #EdChat

Craig and Dave reminisce about the days of CD-ROMs, dot-matrix printers, and mischievous bus networks — and connect those stories to a timeless truth: technology will fail you sooner or later. So how do you keep a Computer Science lesson productive when the Wi-Fi dies?

This episode explores practical unplugged activities, quick-print resources, and strategies to stay calm and keep learning moving when digital systems go down. It’s part nostalgia, part survival guide for every modern teacher.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an At the Chalk Face episode.

Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, or just curious about the future of education, this discussion offers a thought-provoking look at innovation, flexibility, and what’s next for classrooms in England.

🔗 More from us:
Website & resources – Craigndave.org
Smart Revise – https://smartrevise.craigndave.org/

#Teaching #Education #Pedagogy #CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkface #TeacherLife #news #educationnews #EducationUK #Teaching #ComputerScience #AtTheChalkFace #TeachingLife #NonSpecialistTeachers #SecondaryEducation #TeacherStories

At the chalk face: Non-specialist teachers curse or cure?

Non-specialist teachers: The classroom reality no one talks about
Did you know a third of Year 7 lessons are taught by teachers who aren’t specialists in that subject? 🤯

Craig and Dave are back on the chalk face to tackle a topic every teacher has an opinion on — non-specialist teaching.

From teaching biology with no science background to discovering how to book a Bunsen burner two weeks in advance (!), this episode dives into the reality behind timetabling decisions, the pressure on schools, and why “you only have to stay one step ahead of the students” might be more true than you’d think.

In this episode, we chat about:
Why so many teachers end up teaching outside their specialism
What makes someone a “specialist” anyway?
How non-specialists can still make a huge impact
The long-term effects of non-specialist teaching on students
And a few confessions from Craig and Dave’s own classrooms!

👀 Watch now for an open, funny and surprisingly relatable discussion about the juggling act teachers face every day.

Great teaching isn’t just about degrees — it’s about connecting with students, building relationships, and staying one step ahead.

💬 Expect laughs, honest reflections, and some eyebrow-raising stories about life in the classroom — whether you’re a teacher, head of department, or just curious about how schools really work.

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, so you never miss an At the Chalk Face episode.


Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, or just curious about the future of education, this discussion offers a thought-provoking look at innovation, flexibility, and what’s next for classrooms in England.

🔗 More from us:
Website & resources – Craigndave.org
Smart Revise – smartrevise.online

#Teaching #Education #Pedagogy #CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkface #TeacherLife #news #educationnews #EducationUK #Teaching #ComputerScience #AtTheChalkFace #TeachingLife #NonSpecialistTeachers #SecondaryEducation #TeacherStories